Gravitas? Who needs stinking gravitas. About now the ghosts of John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and ABC moderator Howard K. Smith of the 1960 televised debates that ushered in the modern era of politics must be rolling in their graves after last nights admittedly entertaining spectacle in Cleveland. Our nation has finally and unalterably descended into the mash pit of presidential nomination via reality TV. And the invisible all-powerful illuminati must be laughing their asses off.
Fox News did their best to cut-off Donald Trump's credibility at the start by ambushing him with a nuclear-charged question about nasty sexist behavior. Trump, who graduated from the Wharton School of Business in 1968 but still comes off like a blue collar Joe Palooka while speaking, returned Megyn Kelly's acidic question by invoking the name of Rosie O'Donnell, someone rarely mentioned in the executive, legislative or judicial halls of U.S. government or in any talking points put out by the RNC. That's right Megyn, you better talk nice to The Donald. At that moment the Fox News people back in the control room no-doubt tensed-up at the prospect that this unrepentant reality show huckster would spin the entire debate out-of-control. Trump, listed as 6' 3" but looking
much shorter and stouter than his debate counterpart Jeb Bush immediately to his left- also listed as 6' 3"- stood his ground defiantly, looking somewhat satisfied with a smirk on his face. They wisely deferred to other candidates on stage more predictable and less volatile.
Hilariously, one can probably summarize much of what Donald Trump envisions as the role of a U.S. President on his somewhat simplistic entrepreneurial view of the world. ISIS? We tell 'em "you cross that boarder and we'll bust all your heads." Immigration? If Raul has a degree in physics and chemical engineering there's a big welcome mat at the border but if the sum total of his job skills are picking strawberries we'll kick his butt back to Tijuana.
How difficult can this President gig be?
